Midday Ticker: Lippi hints at retirement; More signs of potential Casillas exit; and more

After guiding Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande to an Asian Cup title and a berth in this year’s Club World Cup, head coach Marcello Lippi has hinted that it might be time for him to step back from the world of soccer management.

In an interview given to Italian paper La Repubblica in Rome, the former World Cup winner Lippi admitted that he plans to see out his contract with Guangzhou, but added that it could be his last head coaching job.

“I remain on a one-year contract and I’m very motivated, (but after next season) I will not coach any more,” Lippi told La Repubblica. “I will stay in football, maybe as an executive or in some other form. It is my life, but things change.”

The 65-year-old won the 2006 World Cup title with Italy and won 13 titles as Juventus’ head coach, including five championships in Serie A and one UEFA Champions League title in 1996.

Here are some more stories to read from around the world:

MORE SIGNS INDICATE CASILLAS COULD LEAVE REAL MADRID

The longer that Real Madrid captain and legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas stays on the bench, the more likely it becomes that he’ll find a new home for next season.

A new report from Diario AS in Spain states that Casillas will consider his future if he continues to play second fiddle to Diego Lopez through the end of the 2014 season. According to the report, both Arsenal and Manchester City have reportedly shown interest in the Spain international, but they won’t consider a bid for Casillas until he makes it clear that he wants to leave Madrid.

If Casillas continues at his current pace, he’ll only play a maximum of 22 games this season ahead of next summer’s World Cup, where he is assured a starting place in Spain’s lineup.

The 32-year-old has publicly stated that he wants to remain in Madrid but privately the message seems to be heading in a different direction.

MOURINHO FEARS SUAREZ THREAT FOR SUNDAY’S MATCH

Never one to mince words, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has stolen the focus of Sunday’s English Premier League encounter against Liverpool with comments he made on Friday about Luis Suarez.

Though he was likely joking, Mourinho claimed in an interview with Chelsea TV that he hopes Suarez will be ruled out of Liverpool’s side when they meet up at Stamford Bridge. Suarez has scored 19 goals in 13 games already this season and Chelsea, which has struggled to score goals recently, likely can’t afford to face a deficit of one or two goals at any point in the upcoming match.

“Maybe Suarez has got a little injury,” Mourinho told Chelsea TV. “I’m not asking for a big injury… Just a little injury to stop him playing for four days.”

Chelsea has won three of their last five games in all competitions but have only scored five goals total and their strike force of Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o, and Demba Ba have only scored five times this season in the EPL. Luckily for Chelsea, all of those goals have come at home.

QUICK KICKS

A Brazilian court has ruled unanimously to demote Portuguesa to the Brazilian second division due to playing a suspended player, allowing Fluminense to remain in the top tier. (REPORT)

Stoke City head coach Mark Hughes has been charged by the FA for improper conduct. (REPORT)

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete said that the future of head coach Cesare Prandelli will be decided in March, instead of after the World Cup. (REPORT)

Former River Plate legend Enzo Francescoli has returned to the Argentine club as the new general manager, working with head coach Ramon Diaz. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Where does Lippi rank for you in the list of all-time greatest managers? Do you see Casillas ever leaving Real Madrid? Do you think Mourinho’s comments were inappropriate?

what happened with Casillas RM? It seemed like a year ago he was starting and Mourinho benched him for “insubordination” and suddenly he was playing the 3rd string keeper in matches and Casillas had to ride the bench and then went and got the 3rd best Spanish GK around.

I think casillas would do good in MLS,look at seattle gk position, torontos, even chivas usa.
On the other hand, will chivas usa ever get top Dps.
But like i said before, MLS needs to give city tours to european Dps who want LA and NY. Take them to dallas, houston, salt lake city, denver, philadelphia, so they can see there is more than LA and NY. If i was drogba, i would like to live in denver or even DC besides LA and NY.
For example, if MLS has that philosophy of having 2 teams in LA and NY, why not 2 teams in chicago, toronto, dallas.

To be fair, you can’t prove you are the best if you can’t even make it off the bench. I think it’s worth having a conversation though. Especially since Casillas has played good but not great. Howard has been for the most part, lights out. He’s had a few moments, but EVERY keeper does.

Highly doubt Arsenal would go for Casillas. They just signed Szczesny to an extension, and Wenger seems committed to him as the first team goalie. So far, he has been one of the best goalies in the EPL. He’s reduced the number of brain farts massively from previous years and has become a dude that pays attention.

Barring some massive dip in form from Szczney, can’t see Wenger being willing to spalsh the cash on Casillas, as good as he is. Man City is possible given Joe Harts’ struggles and the team’s willingness to spend, but even then, I see other suitors as more likely.